India certifies HTT-40 basic trainer

India has certified the HAL HTT-40 basic turboprop trainer. This paves the way for the aircraft's eventual induction into the Indian Air Force. (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd)

India's domestically developed Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) aircraft has received its airworthiness clearance certificate from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC).

The announcement was made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on 6 June.

According to HAL, the aircraft achieved certification in record time from the first flight. According to a previous report by Janes, the aircraft's maiden flight was in mid-2016 and the certification of the aircraft began in September 2021.

An HAL source said that the contract for production is expected to be signed in October or November 2022. The production could start 18 months after the T0 (date of contract signature), he added.

“The computer numerical control (CNC) machine will subsequently be set up and we expect the first batch of aircraft to be delivered within 20 months of the contract signing,” the HAL source told Janes.

“We have the capability to manufacture 24 aircraft per year across two manufacturing facilities – at Bangalore and at Nashik,” he added.

The first batch will likely comprise two aircraft, followed by eight and subsequently, 20 annually.

According to HAL, the aircraft has been designed to the Preliminary Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) standards issued by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Federal Aviation Regulations Part 23 (FAR 23).

The certification comes nearly 22 months after the Defence Acquisition Council cleared the procurement of 106 of the advanced turboprop trainers on 11 August 2020. On 4 February 2021 the IAF formally issued its long-expected request for proposal (RFP) to the HAL for 70 aircraft.